Sparkling Vases: Section 5

If you've ever aspired to make an art quilt but didn't know where to start, this is the project for you. Here is section 5 of six in this inspirational quilt design.

Filed under: Quilting, Crafts, Fabrics, How To

We're making the fifth section of this six-month quilt project—the Star Bound panel.

Designer Tom Russell breaks up the process in six simple sections with this stunning wall art design called Sparkling Vases—a quilt that's sure to bring out the quilt-lover in those with even the most contemporary of tastes. Join in the fun at anytime. Just start with Section 1.

The Star Bound block is named for the shuttle-shaped vase.

Materials and Tools:

fabrics
- 1/2 yard background
- two complementary prints of vase fabric, one measuring of 8" x 12"
- four different color scraps for accent squares
- two different prints for leaves
- fat eighth for table
fusible webbing
color-coordinated pearle cotton thread, embroidery floss, variegated thread

Applique Templates

Draft and cut applique templates for the vase, vase accent, leaves and stems. Some may find it easier to cut and piece the panel first, then return to draft the applique patterns in order have a better size perspective.

Vase - On paper, cardboard or template plastic, draw a triangular shaped vase with two feet. Use the vase image to the right as a guide. Cut out and label as template 5a.

Vase Accent - On paper, cardboard or template plastic, draw a four-inch diameter circle, then cut in half. Discard half, labeling the other half as template 5b.

Leaves and stems - On paper, cardboard or template plastic, draw curly leaves and stems. Use the leaves and stems image to the right as a guide. Label the leaves as templates 5c through 5j.

Cutting

From background fabric, cut:
- two, 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" rectangle
- 1-1/2-inch square
- 2-1/2" x 9-1/2" rectangle
- 7-1/2" x 11-1/2" rectangle
- 6-1/2" x 7-1/2" rectangle
- two, 2-1/2-inch square
- 1-1/2" x 5-1/2" rectangle
- two, 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" rectangle

From first vase fabric, cut the vase (template 5a).

From second vase fabric, cut the vase accent (template 5b).

From each scrap of accent fabric, cut a 1-1/2" square (four squares total).

From first leaf fabric, cut three leaves (one each of templates 5c, 5d and 5e).

From second leaf fabric, cut five leaves (one each of templates 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 5j).

From table fabric, cut a 2-1/2" x 9-1/2" rectangle.

Figure A

Steps:

Top Half

1. Join 1-1/2" background square and 1-1/2" accent square. Add 1-1/2" x
2-1/2" background rectangle to top of unit with accent square to the right. Add
2-1/2" x 9-1/2" background rectangle to bottom of unit to make side strip.

Figure B

2. Join side strip to 7-1/2" x 11-1/2" background rectangle to complete top half of panel.

Figure C

Bottom Half

3. Join two different color/print 1-1/2" accent squares. With fabric accent square on top, add 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" background rectangle to right side. Add 2-1/2" background square to top and bottom of unit.

Figure D

4. Join 6-1/2" x 7-1/2" background rectangle to left side of pieced unit. Set aside as bottom unit 1.

Figure E

5. Join 1-1/2" accent square to 1-1/2" x 4-1/2" background rectangle. With accent square on top, add 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" rectangle to right side of strip to make bottom unit 2.

Figure F

6. Join bottom units 1 and 2 to form the bottom of the panel.

Figure G

7. Center and applique vase to bottom half of block. Position and applique vase
accent as illustrated. Transfer, then stem stitch over the embroidery lines in vase accent.

8. Add 2-1/2" x 9-1/2" table fabric rectangle to bottom of vase unit.

Figure H

9. Join top and bottom halves of panel.

Leaves

10. Noting fabric print/color placement in second image above, position and applique leaf cutouts to the block. Transfer stem embroidery patterns to top half of panel.

11. Stem-stitch along one side of all leaves and stem patterns with green pearle cotton thread.

12. Stem-stitch pattern on vase accent with six strands orange embroidery floss.

Flowers and Beading

See section 6. Because it's difficult to quilt around existing embellishments, you'll add the dimensional flowers and beading to the panels once the project has been quilted.

Sparkling Vase: Section 6